Building the structure from recycled materials helped to cut down on the waste produced by the new kiosk, and it also kept costs down.

The sheet piles that form the exterior wall of the new Third Wave Kiosk were used along the Murray River during the devastating 2010-2011 Victorian floods. Now, in their new life, they serve an entirely different purpose — providing refreshments to sun-drenched beach-goers. Instead of painting or refinishing them, Tony Hobba Architects left the sheet piles in their original weathered condition, which lends the new kiosk a raw, rustic look.

“Third Wave” refers to a movement to elevate coffee to a gourmet beverage (like fine wine), and the new kiosk will focus on selling very high-quality coffee. The 215-square-foot structure is both elegant and simple, and the irregular folded pattern in the facade — a structural component that is typical of sheet piles — provides visual interest. Building the structure from recycled materials helped to cut down on the waste produced by the new kiosk, and it also kept costs down. The small building is large enough to fit 1-3 employees at a time. The kiosk, which opened in November 2011, provides a new public space where beach visitors can meet and enjoy the nearby alfresco seating area.